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St. Andrews Links Old Course (Pilmour House, St. Andrews, Fife) — this is perhaps the most famous golf complex in the world and the most regularly used for the Open Championship. Golf has been played here in some form or other since 1400. There is a total of seven courses on the premises. For more details, see its website: www.standrews.org.uk

Scottish Off Road Driving Centre (Glentarkie Estate, Strathmiglo, Fife) – located an hour north of Edinburgh (via routes A90 and M90), this is the biggest, best and most challenging 4 x 4 offroad driving course in Scotland. Its off-road driving range in Fife has a wide variety of natural and man-made obstacles designed to offer challenges for every 4×4 and All Terrain Vehicle user — from the complete novice to the hardened professional. See its website for more info on signing up for this exciting activity: www.scotoffroad.co.uk

Scotch Whisky Experience (354 Castlehill, Edinburgh) — take a barrel ride as you actually become part of the whisky making process. Journey through gently swaying fields of barley and on to the warmth of the Malt Kiln with its lingering smell of burning peat. Explore Scotland’s diverse whisky regions and the flavors that the countryside imparts to its whiskies. Experience for yourself the varying aromas and whether you like fruity, sweet or smoky flavors our experts will help you select your perfect dram.

Conclude your visit in our exhibition area of Scotland’s whisky history taking visitors from the very beginnings of a cottage industry through to the global success of today.   Here you can discover more about the people and history behind the drink. End your visit relaxing over a whisky in our bar where you can choose from over 300 Single Malts, Blends, Scotch Whisky Liqueurs and Cocktails. Tours are multilingual, and vary, from the Silver Tour (£12.75/adult) to the “Taste of Scotland” tour (£52/adult). See the tour’s website for details: www.scotchwhiskyexperience.co.uk

Royal Troon Championship Golf Course (Craigend Road, Troon, Ayrshire) – located 1 ½ hours (78 miles) southwest of Edinburgh, Royal Troon lies at the southern end of that beautiful stretch of Ayrshire coastline where golf was played long before the Troon Golf Club was founded in 1878.

The Club became Royal in its centenary year of 1978 and was the last of the royal clubs to be so honoured. Several famous architects have been associated with the development of the course at it now stands. Willie Fernie, when he was club professional, James Braid and Alistair MacKenzie of Augusta fame among them. This is majestic links land with the back nine holes as demanding as any in championship golf. Visitors can get more info on playing here through Royal Troon’s website: www.royaltroon.com

Musselburgh Racecourse (Linkfield Road, Musselburgh, East Lothian) — located in Musselburgh by the River Esk, 6 miles from Edinburgh, the horse racecourse is an award-winning 5 star attraction and is the ideal location for a day at the races. The course is 2 km long and there’s even a 9-hole golf course in the middle. It is also one of only two courses in Scotland that features both Flat and Jump races. The venue has been refurbished and provides attractive facilities for both corporate and public entertainment with an extensive program of horse races throughout the year.

Muirfield Golf Course (Duncan Road, Muirfield, Gullane, East Lothian) – this golf course is located 40 minutes east of Edinburgh (via routes A1 and A198). Many of the world’s greatest players believe that Muirfield near Edinburgh is the fairest examination of championship golf among all the great and historic course of the British Isles.

If the definition of fairest is that there are no hidden bunkers, or subtle bumps and hollows as at St Andrews, or the blind shots of Prestwick for instance, then there can be little argument. Muirfield is the home of the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, the world’s oldest golf club, and is a hugely demanding test where the dangers are in open view for all to see. But this is a very private club and the members guard their privacy jealously. For visitor tee times visit their website for full details: www.muirfield.org.uk

Malt Whisky Trail — Follow the world-famous Malt Whisky Trail through Speyside to seven working distilleries, including a fascinating cooperage and a historic distillery. From Benromach to Dallas Dhu, a perfect time capsule of whisky-making; from Glen Moray to Strathisla, home and heart of Chivas Regal; from the Glen Grant distillery to the Speyside Cooperage where real coopers work with incredible speed and skill; from Glenfiddich to The Glenlivet and the Cardhu distillery, Scotland’s whisky trail signposts lead you through the picturesque lush countryside of Speyside, the world’s favorite malt whisky region.

Come for a weekend in May, or in September for the whisky festivals, when distilleries, whisky shops, bars, pubs and whole villages welcome visitors with drams, special nosings, ceilidhs and other parties. Come at any time to enjoy famous names and share well-kept secrets with knowledgeable locals in well-stocked bars and friendly pubs. See the Speyside Cooperage website for more details: www.speysidecooperage.co.uk

Glenkinchie Distillery & Visitors Centre (Pencaitland, Tranent, East Lothian) — come and visit Glenkinchie’s picturesque distillery and experience a real taste of Scotland. A visit there begins with its unique exhibition on the original Malting Floors — home to the renowned model distillery. Visitors are then met by a guide and led through the distillery production area, learning how they make the ‘water of life’. To finish the tour, visitors are welcomed into its bar for a tasting of Glenkinchie Single Malt Whisky. Tour price: £12 per person (note: all tours include a £3 discount voucher off the purchase of a 70cl bottle of single malt whisky). See the following website for details: http://www.discovering-distilleries.com/glenkinchie/

Gleneagles (Gleneagles, Auchterarder, Perthshire) — for those who are addicted to the game of golf, Gleneagles offers the chance to play on the world’s finest courses. Located an hour northwest of Edinbergh (via routes A90 and M90), this is a world-famous golf resort and host of the Ryder Cup in 2014. Gleneagles is home to the beautiful James Braid-designed King’s and Queen’s Courses and the testing PGA Centenary course. For more details, see its website: www.gleneagles.com/golf